Jack Grealish sign at Man City worries Paul Merson: ‘It shocked me’
Jack Grealish left Paul Merson in disbelief as the Man City star’s recent failings were discussed ahead of a clash against Leicester City.
The former Aston Villa man had not hit the back of the net in 16 months, at least until being given the chance to start against the Foxes on Wednesday, 2 April, and opening the scoring after two minutes.
That is exactly the kind of impact Pep Guardiola has expected expected Grealish, but with just 17 league starts to his name over the last two seasons, fans have been questioning where the winger stands at City.
He has continued to fall further down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium, but with Erling Haaland’s crushing injury blow for Man City, Guardiola seemed to be left with no other decision but to start him.
With the goal marking his first in the league since scoring against Crystal Palace in December 2023, Merson was unable to hide his surprise and frustration at the player’s nosedive in form, with a sign from the FA Cup clash against Bournemouth emblematic of the problems.
Jack Grealish continues to frustrate with Man City form
Speaking live via Sky Sports Soccer Special [2 April, 7:42pm], Merson said: “You know what shocked me the other day against Bournemouth? He runs at the defender, cuts inside, and it all opens up for him.
“I thought he was going to bend it into the corner, but he turned away. He didn’t even have a shot. It shocked me, it shocked me.”
He went on to indicate it wasn’t as if Grealish was being blocked by superstar teammates, saying: “The other wingers aren’t that much of a threat, are they? I think I’d score before him [Doku]. He hasn’t scored much. Savinho’s come in and done well, but they don’t score.”
| Premier League 2024/25, as per FotMob | Jack Grealish | Jeremy Doku | Savinho |
| Games | 16 | 20 | 24 |
| Goals | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Assists | 1 | 4 | 8 |
Pep Guardiola’s stars must step up in Erling Haaland’s absence
Football Insider verdict
Guardiola is under serious pressure at Man City, with Champions League qualification certainly not a guarantee this season, and those aims have taken yet another blow.
Haaland has scored 21 league goals so far this season, and has likely won multiple points for his team, so him being sidelined for up to seven weeks could be detrimental in the end-of-season run-in.
With five league goals since his arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt, Omar Marmoush looks to have all the ability to at least soften the blow of Haaland’s injury, but he will need help in the final third.
As already discussed, Grealish, Doku and Savinho have not done nearly enough to provide more threats in front of goal, but they have no other decision to step up now.
Kevin De Bruyne, who is likely to leave Man City this summer, has declined massively in recent seasons, and with Phil Foden struggling a lot, others in the squad need to find their form, and quickly.